Mema Te Apārangi | Member profile: Abby Cuttriss

Tell us about your role and how long have you been employed at Royal Society Te Apārangi?

I joined Te Apārangi in 2022. My current role is Kaiwhakahaere Mātanga Rangahau | Programme Manager Expert Advice, which revolves around providing authoritative evidence-based information and resources for the public and decision makers on issues that matter for Aotearoa.

What has been a defining highlight of your experience at Royal Society Te Apārangi?

I run the Speaker’s Science Forum where we bring researchers to Parliament to talk about their work. It’s been great to see MPs highly engaged with cutting-edge research from experts, and it's rewarding to help scholars and researchers extend the impact of their work. 

What were the contributing factors and/or influences for your career path?

Growing up in Fiordland, I was immersed in nature and learned to value science in helping me understand the world around me. This guided me to the initial steps in my career as a plant biochemist, concerned about the future of food security and sustainable agriculture, and now in my role at Te Apārangi sharing expert knowledge and evidence to help inform the New Zealand public on important issues.

When not working, I enjoy...

Getting my hands dirty – my latest eccentric triumph has been tree fern propagation.